India captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were spotted in high spirits in the dugout during their pink-ball practice match against the PM’s XI in Canberra. The two-day game was reduced to a 46-over-per-side contest on Day 2 after rain washed out play on the opening day.
PM’s XI set a target of 240 runs, with standout performances from Sam Konstas (107) and Hanno Jacobs (61). For India, Harshit Rana delivered an impressive 4/44. In reply, India chased successfully, scoring 257/5 in their full 46 overs. Shubman Gill, returning from a thumb injury, scored a solid 50, while Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja all had valuable time in the middle. In a light-hearted moment during the match, Gill, Rohit, and Abhishek Nayar shared some banter. Gill was seen chatting animatedly with Rohit as Nayar encouraged him. Harshit Rana also joined in, listening attentively. The fun escalated when Gill made a remark to Nayar, who patted him on the back, prompting Rohit to playfully elbow Gill in the chest. The group burst into laughter, showcasing the camaraderie within the team. Following India’s win, Rohit expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, emphasizing that the match provided valuable practice despite the weather disruptions. He also extended his gratitude to the fans for their enthusiastic support. “It was a fantastic match. We achieved what we aimed for as a group, even though rain cut the game short. The support from the crowd was amazing as always. Playing in Australia is special, and the fans never fail to show up and cheer us on,” Rohit said. With their objectives met and morale high, Team India looks well-prepared for their upcoming challenges.